"I'm looking forward to two things: a collaborative and productive relationship with Karen and the members of the CTU, as well as the rank and file teachers," Byrd-Bennett said.

Emanuel called Bennett's strong working relationship with Lewis "an aspect" of why he thinks Bennett will be successful as CPS considers closing schools.

The mayor said Brizard approached Chicago Board of Education President David Vitale about stepping down because questions about how long he would last in the post had become a distraction. Brizard offered a similar account last night.

Emanuel said Bennett is the right person to move the system forward.

"We're at a point, with the new contract... We're at a place and amoment in time where the mission of seeing through the opportunities this contract gave us after decades of debate certain points were accomplished, that the questions and distractions around him were taking away from the mission," Emanuel said. "And (Brizard) was totally professional about it in coming forward and saying this is not going to work for what we have to do, and I don't want to be the stumbling block or the distraction from achieving what we need to achieve for the kids."

School closings loom in the coming year. Bennett said the delicate question of school closings must be handled with lots of input from various groups.

"There is a process," she said. "Everything must be on the table. As we've said, we face huge academic and huge financial issues in our district. This is about matching seats to the number of children we have. It's about putting every piece of information we have on the table. It's also about community trust and respect. So there's a process. there is no plan. I continue to hear a plan and a number, and it makes me smile because there is no plan, there is no number. But everything is being considered in consultation with the board and fact-gathering and the mayor."